The former Illinois congressman also is having trouble paying the hefty fine levied against him by a judge, court papers show.

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Convicted former Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. would like to serve prison time ahead of his also-convicted spouse, Sandi Jackson, court filings show.

Paperwork also reveals that the former legislator is having difficulty paying the hefty fine levied against him by a federal judge.

Jackson pleaded guilty in February to misusing campaign funds. Jackson acknowledged in court that he spent $750,000 of campaign cash on personal items — like a $4,600 Michael Jackson fedora and a $1,500 black-and-red cashmere cape, according to the charges against him — and pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud and false statements.

The government doesn't agree that Sandi should be able to serve a potential jail term later than her husband.

In response to the request about Sandi, the government said that she should not get a break just because she was a good public servant and has family responsibilities.

“Defendant was also a highly compensated, elected official," a government document states. "Whose job was to represent and assist her constituents. She … should not get a variance for merely doing her job as a public servant.”